Former Test quick Trent Copeland says talk of a drop-in pitch at the SCG is ridiculous and any move to a wicket produced off-site at the hallowed ground would break his heart. Cricket NSW is preparing to push back against any moves to have the SCG follow both the MCG and Adelaide Oval with a drop-in pitch, after Sydney AFL coach John Longmire backed the idea this week. The SCG surface has come under significant fire as traffic has increased as part of the Allianz Stadium redevelopment, culminating in Sydney FC moving an A-League match from the ground this week. The SCG Trust has indicated they have no plans to introduce a drop-in pitch, and it's understood it would be logistically impossible at present to move one in unless further stadium developments are made. Regardless, former Test seamer Copeland - who was NSW's leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield this season - said the very thought of the idea was wrong. "I think it's ridiculous mainly because the problem has never been there in the past because of the wickets in the middle," Copeland told AAP. "The problem doesn't stem from that. It stems from the fact that currently the Trust are trying to facilitate every possible suitor over a short space of time. "We're forced to play Sheffield Shield games out at Bankstown Oval, North Sydney and Drummoyne. "What's the harm in some of these biggest sporting teams at suburban grounds or country sporting venues like we have to?" The SCG and the Gabba are the only two regular Australian Test grounds to maintain their natural pitch, with both grounds having previously resisted the AFL's preferred option. The MCG has particularly struggled with drop-in wickets, with the pitch criticised in recent Boxing Day Tests. "If the SCG was to go to a drop-in ... all of our cricket is now going to become uniform," Copeland said. "And from a cricket purist or fans' point of view, I hate watching boring cricket, where it's the same cricket everywhere we play around the county. "The SCG has so much history of being a spin friendly, reverse-swing venue. "It would break my heart to see it become a drop-in wicket just because they have tried to load up for one season of trying to play as much sport there as they can." Copeland's comments come after Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said in a statement their position in support of natural turf pitches hadn't changed. "The characteristics of a natural pitch change over the five days of a Test, highlighting the players' full range of skills," he said. Australian Associated Press

SCG drop-in would break my heart: Copeland

New South Wales bowler Trent Copeland says a drop-in pitch for the SCG would be a big mistake.

Former Test quick Trent Copeland says talk of a drop-in pitch at the SCG is ridiculous and any move to a wicket produced off-site at the hallowed ground would break his heart.

Cricket NSW is preparing to push back against any moves to have the SCG follow both the MCG and Adelaide Oval with a drop-in pitch, after Sydney AFL coach John Longmire backed the idea this week.

The SCG surface has come under significant fire as traffic has increased as part of the Allianz Stadium redevelopment, culminating in Sydney FC moving an A-League match from the ground this week.

The SCG Trust has indicated they have no plans to introduce a drop-in pitch, and it's understood it would be logistically impossible at present to move one in unless further stadium developments are made.

Regardless, former Test seamer Copeland - who was NSW's leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield this season - said the very thought of the idea was wrong.

"I think it's ridiculous mainly because the problem has never been there in the past because of the wickets in the middle," Copeland told AAP.

"The problem doesn't stem from that. It stems from the fact that currently the Trust are trying to facilitate every possible suitor over a short space of time.

"We're forced to play Sheffield Shield games out at Bankstown Oval, North Sydney and Drummoyne.

"What's the harm in some of these biggest sporting teams at suburban grounds or country sporting venues like we have to?"

The SCG and the Gabba are the only two regular Australian Test grounds to maintain their natural pitch, with both grounds having previously resisted the AFL's preferred option.

The MCG has particularly struggled with drop-in wickets, with the pitch criticised in recent Boxing Day Tests.

"If the SCG was to go to a drop-in ... all of our cricket is now going to become uniform," Copeland said.

"And from a cricket purist or fans' point of view, I hate watching boring cricket, where it's the same cricket everywhere we play around the county.

"The SCG has so much history of being a spin friendly, reverse-swing venue.

"It would break my heart to see it become a drop-in wicket just because they have tried to load up for one season of trying to play as much sport there as they can."

Copeland's comments come after Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon said in a statement their position in support of natural turf pitches hadn't changed.

"The characteristics of a natural pitch change over the five days of a Test, highlighting the players' full range of skills," he said.